Plays of the Game: Hot potato pick, Smith got 6

HOT POTATO PICK

DOWN, DISTANCE: Iowa faced third and goal at Michigan State's 5-yard line

SCORE/TIME: Iowa led 6-3, 3:57 left, second quarter

FORMATION, PERSONNEL: Iowa — two wide receivers, two tight ends, one running back, quarterback in shotgun; Michigan State — four down linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs

WHAT HAPPENED: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard's pass was intercepted by Michigan State safety Demetrious Cox in the end zone for a touchback.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT: The turnover prevented Iowa from scoring points and extending its lead.

THE ANALYSIS: Iowa lined up with two tight ends to the right side and two wide receivers to C.J. Beathard's left. Including the running back, all five eligible receivers ran pass routes. Tight end George Kittle, who lined up as an H-back, ran to the goal line, and broke left in front of linebacker Jon Reschke. Kittle split safety Montae Nicholson and middle linebacker Riley Bullough near the middle of the field. As the ball hit Kittle's hands, Bullough drilled the tight end. The ball bounced up, hit Bullough and sat suspended on his shoulder. Cox pulled the ball off Bullough's shoulder for the touchback to prevent another Iowa score.

BIG-TIME BEATHARD

DOWN, DISTANCE: Iowa faced second and 20 at its 15-yard line

SCORE/TIME: Iowa trailed 9-6, 15:00 left, fourth quarter

FORMATION, PERSONNEL: Iowa — two wide receivers, two tight ends, one running back; Michigan State — four down linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs

WHAT HAPPENED: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard passed 85 yards to wide receiver Tevaun Smith for a touchdown.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT: The score put Iowa ahead 13-9 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

THE ANALYSIS: Iowa was in a hole after a holding penalty. The Hawkeyes lined up running back Akrum Wadley directly behind Beathard, who was under center. Smith was split left on the outside with receiver Matt VandeBerg in the left slot and both tight ends to the right. Beathard faked to Wadley over the left guard, and all three linebackers rushed toward Wadley. Smith veered toward the middle of the field like a skinny post and got a step past cornerback Darian Hicks. After a seven-step drop, Beathard launched the pass from his own 8-yard line and connected with Smith at the Michigan State 35-yard line, a full 57 yards in the air. Hicks failed to tackle Smith, who ran the rest of the way for the score.

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